Groups argue over alcohol measure on ballot LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Opponents of a proposal to expand alcohol sales to all Arkansas counties argued Thursday it would lead to liquor stores opening near churches and schools, an accusation the group behind the measure denied as the two sides filed briefs before the state's highest court. The two groups and state election officials also tangled over whether the state used the right deadline in accepting petitions for the measure, which would leg...

Court appoints master in wage increase lawsuit LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas' highest court has appointed a former state appeals judge to review evidence in the lawsuit that aims to remove a proposed minimum wage increase from the November ballot. The state Supreme Court on Thursday appointed John B. Robbins as a special master to hold hearings and review evidence regarding the lawsuit filed by Little Rock businessman Jackson T. Stephens Jr. Stephens is challenging the validity of the signat...

Ex-Fayetteville athletic director pleads guilty BENTONVILLE (AP) — Former Fayetteville School District athletic director Barry Gebhart has pleaded guilty to a charge of sexual indecency with a child and was sentenced to probation. Gebhart, 51, entered the plea Thursday in Benton County Circuit Court. Gebhart was placed on probation for five years as part of a plea deal in the case. He must also register as a sex offender. Gebhart resigned as Fayetteville's athletic director after his arrest...

22-year-old man killed in shooting at Greenbrier GREENBRIER (AP) — Faulkner County authorities said a 22-year-old man was killed in a shooting in Greenbrier and that explosive material was later found in the home. Chief Deputy Matt Rice told reporters that Jeremiah Hackler died following the Wednesday night shooting. Rice says another man in the home said he accidentally shot Hackler in the chest. Investigators later found what they describe as explosive material inside the home and turned t...

AG: Martin's office to defend voter ID LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Attorney General Dustin McDaniel said Wednesday that the secretary of state's office will defend Arkansas' voter ID law when a lawsuit over its constitutionality goes before the state Supreme Court next week. McDaniel, a Democrat, said he agreed to yield to Republican Secretary of State Mark Martin's office the state's argument time when justices hold a hearing on the law Oct. 2. The state has appealed Pulaski County Circuit...

Groundbreaking held for US Marshals Museum FORT SMITH (AP) — Formal groundbreaking has been held in Fort Smith for a U.S. Marshals Museum on the banks of the Arkansas River overlooking Oklahoma. Federal, state, tribal and local officials that included U.S. Sens. Mark Pryor and John Boozman; Rep. Steve Womack; Gov. Mike Beebe; Principal Chief George Tiger and marshals services officials were among the estimated crowd of 1,000 that turned out for Wednesday's ceremony. The groundbreaking ...

2 dead in shooting outside Hot Springs motel HOT SPRINGS (AP) — Hot Springs police are investigating the death of two men found shot outside of a motel that they say was likely a murder-suicide. The Sentinel-Record reported police said Jeremy Simms, 22, and Dennis Gormley, 32, both died from apparent gunshot wounds Monday outside the Knights Inn. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses say a third person was taken to a hospital and later questioned by detectives. It's unclear i...

Arkansas sees massive ad blitz for state races LITTLE ROCK (AP) — The political blitz that's been hitting Arkansans' television sets isn't just limited to the nationally watched fight for a U.S. Senate seat, according to a study released Wednesday that shows a triple-digit percentage increase in ad spending on state-level races. Arkansas' candidates for governor, attorney general, the Legislature and other state offices have spent nearly $6.1 million to run more than 16,700 ads in the stat...

Ryan campaigns for Hutchinson's gubernatorial bid BENTON (AP) — Former Republican vice presidential nominee and U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan called Asa Hutchinson someone he could team up with to fight poverty as he campaigned for the former congressman's gubernatorial bid in Arkansas on Wednesday. The Wisconsin lawmaker and chairman of the House Budget Committee headlined a fundraiser for Hutchinson, who is in a heated race against fellow ex-congressman and Democratic nominee Mike Ross. The two are r...

State asks court to dismiss wage measure challenge LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Secretary of State Mark Martin asked the Arkansas Supreme Court on Wednesday to dismiss a lawsuit from a Little Rock businessman who is trying to keep off the November ballot a measure to raise the state's minimum wage. Martin asked justices to dismiss the lawsuit filed Monday by Jackson T. Stephens Jr., who is challenging the validity of the signatures submitted in support of the measure and the deadline the state used for ...

Wal-Mart eases its way into another corner of the market: bankingWal-Mart is introducing a mobile checking account for its customers that will eliminate the overdraft and bounced-check fees traditionally charged by banks. It is Wal-Mart's biggest push into the financial services sector and its target is customers that have limited access to traditional banking. The company's GoBank checking has no minimum balance requirements and the monthly fee of $8.95 is waived if a direct deposit of $500 is made each mo...

State Police investigating death of woman found along I-40The Arkansas State Police is investigating the death of a woman whose body was discovered earlier today along I-40 near Palestine east of the rest area at the 236 mile marker. The body was spotted on the outside lane of the highway by a truck driver who then contacted State Police, Highway Patrol Division, Troop D shortly after 1 a.m. Wednesday. State Police Criminal Investigation Division Special Agents are working to identify the body descri...

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Arkansas State PoliceThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Arkansas veterans health leader says he's retiring LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — The director of the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System says he's retiring next month to spend more time with family and pursue personal projects. As director, Michael Winn, 57, is in charge of all activities at Little Rock's John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital and Eugene J. Towbin Healthcare Center in North Little Rock. He also manages a day treatment center for homeless veterans and some community-ba...

CDC confirms case of enterovirus in Arkansas The Arkansas Department of Health (ADH) has received confirmation through laboratory testing conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the first case of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) causing respiratory illness in Arkansas. Since children are the most susceptible to contracting EV-D68, ADH is encouraging parents to take simple steps to help prevent the spread of EV-D68, such as encouraging children to wash their hands, cover th...

Highway commission accepts bid for improvements CABOT, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas State Highway Commission has approved a bid of nearly $1 million for road improvements in Cabot and Maumelle. The commission announced Monday that it awarded a $977,000 contract to Cranford Construction Co. of North Little Rock for the projects. Construction is set to begin within the next two to four weeks with completion planned by the end of the year. The improvements include resurfacing 5.4 miles of roadway ...

Groundbreaking held for new Arkansas steel mill OSCEOLA, Ark. (AP) — Officials say a new $1.3 billion steel mill will be an economic boon for northeastern Arkansas. A groundbreaking ceremony was held Monday morning near Osceola for the Big River Steel mill, which is expected to bring about 2,000 temporary construction jobs and 500 full-time jobs once it is up and running. Construction is expected to take about two years. Gov. Mike Beebe called it the largest single business investment in Ar...

Gov. Beebe donates archives to Arkansas State JONESBORO (AP) — Gov. Mike Beebe announced Saturday he will donate his eight years of gubernatorial papers, video footage, photographs and memorabilia to his alma mater, Arkansas State University. Beebe, a 1968 graduate of Arkansas State and past chairman of its Board of Trustees, said he is pleased to work with ASU to share his part of the state's history with researchers, historians and students from Arkansas and beyond. "I've made no secret...

Ross, Hutchinson spar over tax cuts, ads in debate LITTLE ROCK (AP) — Republican gubernatorial hopeful Asa Hutchinson and Democratic rival Mike Ross sparred over their competing tax cut plans and negative ads blanketing Arkansas' airwaves as they squared off in an occasionally testy debate Friday night. In their first statewide televised debate, the two ex-congressmen touted their proposals to reduce income taxes and also tried to portray one another as partisans. The two are running to succee...

Cops: Ex-alderman accused of forcing men to fight A former Arkansas alderman was arrested this week after allegedly forcing two young men to fight and pointing a gun at a teenager at his home, police said Friday. John Dodd, who lives in the small town of Bono, is facing numerous charges, including aggravated assault and false imprisonment. Dodd, 49, was jailed Wednesday but released Thursday after posting a $10,000 bond. According to police, Dodd threatened his 20-year-old son and told him to...